Tractor-trailer strikes rock bluff near Doolittle

The driver of a tractor-trailer that lost control on wet pavement and crashed into a rock bluff on Interstate 44 Tuesday night east of Doolittle suffered moderate injuries.

Staff Reports

The driver of a tractor-trailer that lost control on wet pavement and crashed into a rock bluff on Interstate 44 Tuesday night east of Doolittle suffered moderate injuries.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, a 2001 International Eagle tractor-trailer driven by Rudy M. Alvarez, 26, of Fort Worth, Texas, was traveling eastbound on I-44 at the 181.4 mile marker and lost control on the wet pavement.

The tractor-trailer went off the right side of the interstate through a guard rail and struck a rock bluff, which caused the cab to separate from the chassis.

The cab came to a rest upside down and the chassis and trailer continued eastbound for a short distance before coming to a rest in a ditch, facing eastbound.

Alvarez was taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps County ambulance for his moderate injuries.

He was wearing a seat belt. The tractor-trailer was totaled. The crash occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The MSHP was assisted by the Doolittle and Rolla fire departments along with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Rolla police.